Dog-O-Rama eyes expansion in second year

Published 11:27 am Sunday, February 22, 2026

LONG BEACH — A new end-of-summer event on the peninsula is seeking to level up in year two, and organizers are asking the community for its help.

Slated for Sept. 18-20 at Veterans Field and elsewhere, the second annual Dog-O-Rama is set to expand from a one- to three-day event with more games, activities and competitions for canines and their two-legged owners to enjoy. The event is put on by Coastal Class Crepes co-owners David and Jessica Anderson

The aim for 2026, according to event coordinator Cathie Skreen, is to introduce new activities “that fit the average family dog who has some basic good manners.” Perfect manners aren’t required, she stressed, and neither are advanced obedience skills.

“Just dogs who people are comfortable taking out in public and with basic retrieving skills,” Skreen added. “This describes most of the dogs we see on our peninsula. People can bring their dogs and we’ll help them do the rest!”

New activities

In its first year, the roster of activities included games like bobbing for hot dogs instead of apples, musical hoops instead of chairs, and Spot Says instead of Simon Says. A new game planned for this year is a pumpkin pie-eating contest — for the dogs, Skreen clarified.

The popular tricks and costume contests will continue in year two, as will the agility and rally courses. Skyhoundz, an organization that bills itself as staging the largest disc dog competition series in the world, will again host a DiscDogathon qualifier at Culbertson Park.

Dog-O-Rama 2026 will also continue to offer American Kennel Club (AKC) tests, including Canine Good Citizen that tests 10 basic obedience skills such as sit, down and come. Eight AKC-qualified judges from around the region have committed to attending this year.

Two more tests will be added this year, including the Farm Dog Test, which is open to all breeds. The test involves the dog doing a series of 12 exercises that are typical for a farm environment, such as staying calm while in close proximity to livestock — who are always penned — as well as jumping and staying on hay or straw bales, walking past farm equipment such as a tractor, walking on unusual terrain, and jumping over logs.

“This test shows the dog’s self-control, confidence and trust with his handler in a typical working farm dog setting,” said Skreen, adding that dogs — whether pure or mixed breed — participating in AKC events will need to be registered with the club and can visit akc.org/register/information/canine-partners to do so.

Another new Dog-O-Rama activity includes Meet the Breeds, where dog owners representing various breeds will be invited to join and provide an opportunity for others to learn about the breed, unique characteristics and of course enjoy some petting. Two group dog walks are also scheduled, the first on the evening of Sept. 18 at the Port of Ilwaco and the second on the morning of Sept. 20 on the newly renovated Long Beach boardwalk.

A “Pup Parade” in Ilwaco at 5 p.m. on Sept. 18 will get the festivities underway, while Bridgetown Get Down, “an amazing dog-loving band” from the Portland area, will also perform a concert the evening of Sept. 19.

The event also serves as an opportunity to support and raise funds for the South Pacific County Humane Society (SPCHS). Organizers hope to donate $1,000 to SPCHS, which would be double last year’s target goal.

Visit coastalclasscrepes.com/dog-o-rama to sign up for the event. Skreen encouraged people to keep up with Dog-O-Rama developments via their Facebook page at facebook.com/dogorama.funprofun.

“We want people to try some new fun things with their dogs,” she said. “And over the next few months, we’ll be covering our various events and offer some tips on what people can do with their dogs to get ready, to highlight how easy it is to participate.”

Volunteers, contributions needed

Organizers are seeking additional local support to help the event succeed, both via volunteers, sponsors and donations — both financially and dozens of prizes that will be handed out. Those interested in learning more about being a sponsor, volunteering or otherwise contributing can email Skreen at cskreen@comcast.net.

Cash donations will go toward covering an assortment of costs, including the cost of the band, signage, event maps, marketing materials, insurance and permits. Donations can be mailed to: Coastal Class Crepes/Dog-O-Rama, PO Box 772, Long Beach, WA 98631.

David Anderson said they are seeking buy-in from local hotels to help provide at least 10 dog-friendly rooms over two days for the AKC judges that will be traveling to the peninsula from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

They are also seeking donations of snow or erosion fencing that can serve both this year’s Dog-O-Rama and future events, as well as borrow or loan a few golf carts for shuttles for the public and event staff between fields and the Bolstad beach approach. Also being sought are 10-foot by 10-foot easy set up canopies for event fields, VIP vendors like SPCHS, and a first aid tent.

Farm equipment is also needed for the aforementioned Farm Dog test, although Long Beach Mayor Sue Svendsen has already donated a small tractor to be parked at the event. Two bales of straw and a portable gate are being sought.

At least 25 volunteers are also needed both Sept. 19 and 20 to assist judges, provide wayfinding between fields, hand out maps, register attendees, organize winners and prizes, coordinate with the band and music events and set up and tear down the fields.

“This is about ‘Fun Pro Fun’ — having fun for the sake of having fun,” said Anderson. “This is about building our community, this is about benefiting our businesses, this is about showcasing how beautiful our area is and teaching animal stewardship.”